An electronic system according to various aspects of the present invention includes a memory and a supply regulation circuit having a regulated output to provide a selected voltage level. In one embodiment, the supply regulation circuit includes a reference voltage circuit connected to the supply and configured to receive a first voltage and a second voltage and provide a reference voltage and a control circuit connected to the reference voltage and configured to control the regulated voltage according to the reference voltage. The supply regulation circuit also includes an adjustment circuit controlled by the control circuit and configured to adjust the regulated voltage according to the reference voltage. The supply regulation circuit may also include a compensator circuit to provide additional adjustment to the regulated voltage.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An electronic system, comprising: a processor; a supply connected to the processor and configured to provide a first voltage and a second voltage; and a memory system connected to the processor and configured to provide information to the processor, comprising: a memory; and a supply regulation circuit connected to the supply and having a regulated voltage connected to the memory, comprising: a reference voltage circuit configured to provide a control reference voltage; a control circuit connected to the control reference voltage and configured to provide a control signal according to the control reference voltage; and an adjustment circuit controlled by the control signal and configured to: receive the first voltage and second voltage; generate the regulated voltage from at least one of the first voltage and the second voltage; and adjust the regulated voltage according to the control signal.
2. An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the second voltage is a bulk voltage.
3. An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the reference voltage circuit comprises an adjustable impedance configured to adjust the control reference voltage.
4. An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the reference voltage circuit comprises more than one tap, wherein each tap is configured to provide a corresponding control reference voltage.
5. An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit includes a differential amplifier, including: a first input connected to the control reference voltage; a second input connected to the regulated voltage; and a control signal output connected to the adjustment circuit.
6. An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the control signal corresponding to a difference in magnitude between the control reference voltage and the regulated voltage.
7. An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit includes an amplifier with a gain of approximately unity.
8. An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment circuit comprises an impedance having an adjustable impedance value responsive to the control circuit, and wherein the regulated voltage corresponds to the adjustable impedance value.
9. An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustable impedance comprises a transistor having a first terminal connected to the regulated voltage, a second terminal connected to the second voltage, and a control terminal connected to the control circuit.
10. An electronic system according to claim 1 , further comprising a compensator circuit connected to the regulated voltage and configured to provide a supplemental power supply to the regulated voltage.
11. An electronic system according to claim 10 , wherein the compensator circuit comprises a current source connected to the regulated voltage.
12. An electronic system according to claim 10 , wherein the compensator circuit comprises: a second control circuit connected to the control reference voltage and configured to compare the regulated voltage to the control reference voltage; and an adjustable power source responsive to the second control circuit and connected to the regulated voltage.
13. An electronic system according to claim 10 , wherein the compensator circuit comprises a current mirror circuit.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
August 12, 2002
March 1, 2005
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